Dark-room developing unit



May 29, 1928 E. B. MABEE DARK ROOM DEVELOPING UNIT Filed April 22, 1927 gnoawtoz @Qwzfi ML 351 Qbtomewa Patented May 29, 1928.

UNITED STATE ELLIOTT B. MADE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

DARK-BOOM DEVELO'FING UNIT.

Application filed April 22, 1927. Serial No. 185,682.

My invention relates to developing e uipments for dark rooms, and while capab e of use in the development of films generally, it is more particularly designed for employment in connection with the developing of X-ray films by dentists, physicians and institutions.

' Its object is the provision of a dark room developing unit which contains in itself all the means called for in the development of photographic films, and the results in a portable, compact, elficient and economical device.

This object is accomplished and the said result achieved in a light-proof cabinet or case of suitable size having a hinged and adjustable cover or lid, which comprises a closed compartment provided with a socket for the reception of an electric bulb and a connecting cord running therefrom for at tachment to any convenient source of supply; and an open section for the accommodation of containers holding the necessary liquids. The closed compartment is preferably located in the lid or cover of the cabinet. The floor of this closed compartment consists of several panes of glass between which are positioned the requisite filtering elements to secure the safe light desired and at the same time prevent the ingress of actinic light, but it is to be understood that suitable ltering elements ofany kind may be used.

The invention briefly summarized above is hereinafter described in detail as illustrated in the embodiment of the same shown in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the drawings are merely illustrative of one exam le of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective of my improved device;

Fig. 2 a similar view showing the lid in raised position; and

Fig. 3a section through the developing unit on the line 3-3 of Fi 1.

The cabinet or case 0 the developing unit is indicated by the numeral 1, its hinged cover by 2, which by means of the stop nut adjusting member 3 may be held at any angle desired. The containers for the deve oping, washing and fixing solutions are indicated by 4., 4, 4 being held together by clips 4. While the containers are shown as removable, the body of the cabinet could, of course, be partitioned to provide fixed compartments for the said solutlons.

The cover 2 is arched at its center and forming a part of it is the socket member 5 in which is fixed electrical bulb 6 and from which extends cord 7 for connection in the usual way to any convenient source of supply. The base of the cover is provided with spaced flan es 8 and 8, Between these flanges are positioned light filters consisting of panes of glass 9, 9, formin a floor to the arched cover 2 and providmg the closed compartment referred to, and between the members 9, 9' are placed one or more layers of colored light-trasmitting material 10, which may be of any substance, the whole adapted to provide a proper and safe light that will not deleteriously afi'ect photographic material subjected thereto. It will be understood, of course, that this is merely one way of securing the needed light and that filters of colored glass or other translucent material having the requisite lighttransmitting or -restraining qualities may be used. The cover is constructed so that these may be changed at will or a new bulb inserted when needed.

In the use of my developing unit, the developer is placed in container 4, and the washing and fixing solutions in containers 4 and 4 respectively. It follows naturally that when the operator finds it necessary to liftthe films being developed for examination before the ruby light, the developing liquid clinging to the films will drop back into its own container, 4, and thus prevent the contamination and deterioration of the washing and fixing solutions which would result from the drippings of the developer mingling with the same.

It will be evident that by fixing the cover with its contained electric light bulb at different angles, the degree of light thrown upon the work can be varied to suit individual needs and requirements.

A decided advantage of my improved unit flows from the fact that if, while engaged in developing, an emergency call requires the operator to drop the work, he can immediately close the light-proof cabinet with its partially completed films and respond at once without fear of the films being lightstruck.

Another important feature in my improved combination arises from the inclusion of the electric bulb therein. In order to get the best results in developing, it is necessary to keep the developer at a temperature of 65 to 70 F. Where the conditions demand it, the develo er is soon brought to this temperature by.1gnitin the electric bulb 6 and keeping the cover the cabinet closed for a short time before immersing the films.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised a developing unit which possesses within compact limits every requirement for the safe, efficient and economical development of photographic negatives. I do not limit myself to the exact structure shown, which in details may be departed from within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a dark room developing unit comprising a light-proof cabinet with an adjustable cover, the combination of an open compartment and a closed compartment, the closed compartment being separated from the open compartment by a translucent nonactinic partition, and having in it a socket for attachment thereto of an electric bulb and a plug for connection to a source of supply, the open compartment containing means for the reception of developing, washing and fixing solutions.

2. A dark room developing unit comprising a light-proof cabinet with an adjustable cover, the cabinet having an open section and a closed section, the 0 en section holding containers for developing, washing and fixing solutions, the closed section located in said cover and having a socket member in one of its walls, the bottom of the closed section consisting of several panes'of glass and filtering material therebetween, substantially as set forth.

3. In a dark room developing unit, the

combination oi a metal cabinet having a having an arched top and floor oi translucent non-actinic light transmitting material, a permanent electrical fixture in a wall of the chamber formed between said arched top and said floor, an electric bulb in the fixture in said chamber, a plug in the opposite end of said fixture for attachment to a source of supply, and containers in the cabinet for developing, washing and fixing solutions.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ELLIOTT B. Manna. 

